Machine for cutting block-soles.



G. QUARMBY. I MACHINE FOR CUTTING BLOCK SOLES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB-27. ms.

Q 1,1 9 1 ,344. Patented July 18, 1916.

Fig.4.

Witnesses: Inventor,

v 34 George quar-mt mu NON Rm PETERS w. rworu-umc. ansmNrfmN. n. c.

GEORGE QUARIVIBY, OF SAUGUS, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOCHARLES T. I-IILLIKER, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING IBLOCK-SOLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 18, 1am.

Application filed February 27, 1915. Serial No. 11,075.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE QUARMBY, a citizenof the United States, residing at Saugus, in the county of Essex andState of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Machines for Cutting Block-Soles.

The object of the present invention is to provide certain improvementsand advantageous constructional features not embodied in the machineheretofore patented by me, the subject ofLetters Patent 803,710, datedNov. 7', 1905. These improvements in construction and the advantagesthereof will be set forth in specific detail in the acco'mpanywould bethe tendency when the clamp screws ing specification and drawings inwhich- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a block-sole cutting machinepartly broken away and 1n partial section in order to show certain of myimproved constructional features; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section takenon the line A -A of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 illustrates a fragmental portion ofthe apron shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and the manner of fastening the apronto thev block; Fig. 4 illustrates in side elevation the detailedconstruction and manner of'adjustment of the finger-guard; Fig. 5 is aplan view of the bed or table of the machine and also illustrating thefinger-guard in plan, and Fig. 6 a sectional elevation of the tabletaken on line DD of Fig. 5 illustrating the means for adjusting andclamping the tablea e. g Fly invention relates to machines for cuttingblock-soles or soles which are cut to an approximation of their finalshape by curved knives acting on a strip of sole leather, as describedin my hereinbefore mentioned patent 803,710 of Nov. 7, 1905 and as alsodescribed in a previous patent to D. T. Knox, 558,964 of April 28, 1896,to which patents reference may be had for detailed description andconstruction of machines of the general type to which my inventionappertains. In machines of this type heretofore constructed inmanipulating the apron and cutting block to remove or replace the sameit has been customary to accomplish these operations by tightening orloosening the two clamp screws which extend throughlugs or projectionsof the frame, as shown in Fig. 2.

of the Knox Patent 558,964. As there shown, the edge of the apron isillustratedin full line directly behind the clamp screws, this apronhaving the rectangular bosses or lugs (shown in dotted lines) which abutagainst the cutting block (also shown in dotted lines). In order toremove or reverse the cutting block in a machine of this constructionor'to adjust said block vertically, it will be seen that it is incumbentupon the operator to unscrew the two clamp screws which hold the apronagainst the cutting block and which also holds the cutting block inplace, after which it becomes necessary to remove the apron entirelyfrom the machine before the cutting block can be satisfactorilymanipulated for reversal, removal or vertical adjustment. Otherwise, itis necessary to hold the apron from falling from the machine, as

are unscrewed. It is obvious'that this is an awkward procedure.

One of the objects of my present invention, therefore, is to provide aconstruction wherein the above awkward and undesirable method ofmanipulating the cutting block and apron'will be'eliminated, and whereinthe apron can be retained in place without the necessity of holding orremoving the same in order to adjust the cutting blockvertically,-because to accomplish this latter purpose heretofore it hasbeen necessary for the operator to leave his position before the tableand work around in front of the machine in order to loosen the block. Inthe present improved method it is only necessary for the operator toslack off the block clamp-screw, which can be done without the operatorleaving his position at the table.

Another awkward and imperfect construction in machines of the characterhereinabovc referred to is the safety-guard provided for the protectionof the fingers infeeding in the leather blanks below the cutting knives.As it sometimes happens that the leather inserted beneath the knives isthicker in one place than in another, and as the guard heretoforeprovided is incapable of adjustment to "allow for difierences inthickness of the leather, the fingers become cramped under the guard,and facility in handling the leather for cutting isinterfered with. v yI Another object of my invention,. therefore," is to provide afinger-guard which will have flexibility of adjustment, and enable thefingers to reach far enough under the guard to. satisfactorily handle orguide the leather in a manner properly to locate itfor cutting.

This feature of my invention will also be hereinafter described indetail.

Still another object of my invention is to improve the operation of thetable-gage which, heretofore, has been more or less,

troublesome in that the means employed for clamping or fastening it havenot been positive and reliable in preventing the gage from slipping.

As in my former Patent 803,710, E represents the knife supporting beams;F arms which are afiiXed to the beams and outwardly connected at G tothe supporting-frame H. The beams are moved toward and away from thecutting-bed by means of crank-pins I, affixed to cranks J on thepower-driven shafts M, the rods L connecting the crankpins with the endsof the beams.

The mechanism just described is old, be ing found in both the patent toKnox, and the patent to myself hereinbefore referred to.

Referring now more particularly to the detailed improvements of thepresent invention, 1 represents an apron of sheet metal or othersuitable materialover which the finished soles pass into a box or otherreceptacle provided for the purpose. A cutting block 2 of hard wood islocated on the adjustable seat 3 in a manner to alinc with the cuttingplane of the knives E. The set screws 4 (one at each end) in the frame 5adjust the position of the seat 3 up and down, and consequently theposition of the cutting block in like manner. Extending through theframe 5 are two studs or bolts 6, 6 (Fig. 2) terminating at the tableend of the machine in nuts 7, 7 which nuts limit the outward travel ofthe head-piece 8. The apron end of the bolts 6, 6 have riveted heads 9,9. The apron 1 is provided with slots or holes 10, Fig. 3, thuspermitting the apron 1 to be hung on the bolts 6. Attached to the frame5 is a bearing block 11, secured to said frame by means ofscrews 12, 12and extending into this bearing and through the head-piece 8 is a handscrew or block clamp 13 having a handle 1 1. The frame 5 has projections15, 16 and 17 which abut against the cutting block 2 when the blockclamp 13 is screwed up tightly in a clockwise direction. When the block2 isinserted in place, as shown in Fig. 2, it is guided thereto by meansof the tongue and'groove arrangement shown at 18,18, Fig. 2. tightenupthe block 2 it is only'necessary to turn the block clamp 13 in aclockwise direction, as heretofore stated.

It will thus be seen that by means of the construction above describedthe manner of handling the cutting block and the apron is muchsimplified, the single hand screw or block clamp 13 replacing thetwoclamp screws used in the. previous constructions for securingtheblock and the apron.- It will be obvious that the cooperation of theblock clamp 13, the frame 5 and the bolts 6 render it possible toconveniently adjust or remove the cutting block without necessitatingthe previous awkward procedure employed of manipulating more than oneclamp screw, holding the apron and adjusting the block almostsimultaneously. The advantageous method of hanging the apronparticularly, in the present invention, eliminates any necessity for theoperatorhaving to leave his position at the table in order to adjust thecutting block.

Referring now, to the details of the fingerguard, 19 represents aguard-rail rigidly mounted at 20 in lever arms 21, the lever' arms 21 inturn being supported in suitable bearings 22 formed in bearing blocks 23se cured to the table by means of. the screws or bolts. 24, 24, etc. Thelever arms 21 and consequently the guard-rail 19 are adjustable upwardlyand downwardly by means of the set screws 25, and also have a relativelateral movement by means of the l.oosejoint connections or mounting 26.In this manner it will be seen that the guard-rail 19 is not so rigidlaterally but that it will accommodate its adjustment to give thenecessary roomfor the fingers when they are inserted beneath the rail orrod 19, as determined by the variation in thickness of the leatherblanks-to be cut.

I will now refer to my improved means for fastening or clamping thetable-gage. As herein shown in Figs. 5 and 6, 27 represents a transversesection of the table 28 (Fig. l) and 29 an adjustable table-gage havingan upright flange-30, The gage 29 is fastened to. a reciprocating slide31 in the table 2.8 by means of the studs 32, 33, and a secondreciprocating slide 3-1- is operatively connected with the slide 31 bymeans of a rack and pinion (not shown). Thus, when the gage 29 is movedin one direction the slide 31 is moved with it in the same direc tion,being rigidly secured to said gage by means .of the studs 32,33. Theslide 31, however, is moved in the opposite direction. The object ofthisdifferential action-of the slides is to maintain the center line ofthe knives to have always the same relation to the work and at the sametime to permit variation of the cut by moving the gage to vary theposition of the blank to the right or left of the center line. Thisadjustment, however, is not a part of my invention, but is describedonly to illustrate its relation tothe clamping means for the table-gage.35 represents a bolt which passes through the portion of the table 27,and which bolt isprovided with, a head '36. The bolt is screw-threadedat the top, and screwed thereon is a clamp-screw 37. This bolt 35 isfree to travel in a slot 38 in the table. By this construction it willbe seen that the table-gage can be moved in a right or left direction byunloosening the clamp-screw 7, and that when the desired position ofsaid gage is determined it can be set or secured in said position bytightening the clamp-screw 35. Heretofore, the means provided foraccomplishing this result have been imperfect, with the consequentresult that the table-gage would slip from the predetermined position,causing annoyance and improper cutting of the blank. The positiveclamping arrangement of the present invention, however, eliminates thisdifficulty.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have hereinshown and described certain forms of my invention as being particularlyadapted to the purposes to be accomplished, but it is to be understoodthat I do not limit myself to the use of such forms only, but wish tocover by the appended claims all modifications thereof within the spiritand scope of my invention.

lVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

1. In a sole block cutting machine, a beam movable from and toward thecutting-bed, a knife carrier suitably secured to the beam, a cuttingblock operatively located with re spect to the beam, an apron suspendedin front of the cutting block, and means for tightening the cuttingblock and apron in operative position simultaneously by a singleoperation.

2. In a sole block cutting machine, a beam movable from and toward thecutting bed, a knife carrier suitably secured to the beam, a cuttingblock operatively located with respect to the beam, an apron suspendedin front of the cutting block, and means for adjusting the cutting blockwhile the apron is suspended in front of the same.

3. In a sole-block cutting machine, a beam movable from and toward thecutting bed, a

knife carrier suitably secured to the beam, a cutting block operativelylocated with respect to the beam, an apron suspended in front of andparallel with the cutting block, and means for tightening the cuttingblock and apron in operative position simultaneously by a singleoperation.

4. In a sole-block cutting machine, a beam movable from and toward thecutting bed, a knife carrier suitably secured to the beam, a cuttingblock operatively located with respect to the beam, an apron suspendedin front of and parallel with the cutting block, the said apron beingprovided with slots or openings for the reception of headed-over bolts,a stationary abutting frame behind the cutting block, a floating headmember behind the stationary frame, bolts extending through the floatingmember, a stationary member and apron for linking them together,retaining means on the bolts outside the floating member, and a suitablehand clamp extending operatively through the floating member and intoengagement with a stationary member for tightly securing the apron andcutting block together.

5. In a sole-block cutting machine, a beam movable from and toward thecutting bed, a knife carrier suitably secured to the beam, a cuttingblock operatively located with respect to the beam, a table for feedingstock to the cutting block, and a finger-guard extending parallel withthe length of the cutting block and supported by the table the saidfinger-guard being adjustable to allow propermanipulation of the fingersinserted beneath the guard upon variation in thickness of the stock tobe cut.

6. In a sole-block cutting machine, a beam movable from and toward thecutting bed, a knife carrier suitably secured to the beam, acutting-block operatively located with respect to the beam, a table forfeeding stock to the cutting block, and a finger-guard extendingparallel with the length of the cutting block and supported bythe tablethe said finger-guard being automatically adjustable by means ofloose-joint connections to accommodate the fingers to operativemanipulation of the stock notwithstanding variations in thickness of thelatter.

7. In a sole block cutting machine, a beam movable from and toward thecutting bed, a knife carrier suitably secured to the beam, a cuttingblock operatively located with respect to the beam, an apron suspendedin front of the cutting block, mechanism cooperatively related to thecutting block for vertically adjusting the latter, and means fortightening the cutting block and apron in operative positionsimultaneously by a single operation.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature, in presence of twowitnesess.

GEORGE QUARMBY. Witnesses ARTHUR F. Knnrn, MARION M. THORBURN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

